Cardiovascular testing

Community Heart and Vascular Hospital performs all standard and state-of-the-art cardiovascular diagnostic testing procedures. These tests are performed to help diagnose, treat and monitor cardiac and vascular diseases. The equipment at our diagnostic center is state-of-the-art and modern. We utilize the newest technologies so that we can obtain the best diagnostic information for cardiovascular diseases.

To schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, please call 317-621-8565.

Accredited testing center and medical staff

Our diagnostic facility is nationally accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for testing services, including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and vascular ultrasound. Accreditation demonstrates a commitment to quality care, quality diagnostic evaluations and accountability. The standards require that all interpreting physicians and practicing technologists/sonographers are adequately trained and experienced to interpret and perform noninvasive testing.

Our highly-skilled cardiologists are certified in these tests and provide diagnostic testing of exceptional quality. Our team is led by Dr. Kiran Kareti, medical director of echocardiography and screening diagnostic testing services, and by Dr. Jo Mahenthiran, director of the Cardiovascular Diagnostic Center of Excellence.

Our certified technicians also receive ongoing education to ensure that all patients receive quality diagnostic tests. They work together with our doctors and administrative personnel to provide the best cardiovascular diagnostic services.

Diagnostic testing services

In addition to standard diagnostic testing, our services also include:

Cardiovascular diagnostic tests

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart. This test is capable of detecting early changes of a heart attack, structural changes in the heart and changes due to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias).

This is a small, portable, battery-powered ECG machine worn by a patient to record heartbeats on tape over a period of 24 to 48 hours during normal activities. This test is designed to help detect slow, fast and irregular heart rhythm disorders.

A small, portable, battery-powered machine used by a patient to record electrical activity (ECG) over a long period of time. Patients may keep the recorder for several weeks. Each time symptoms are experienced, the patient presses a button on the recorder to record an ECG sample. As soon as possible, this sample is transmitted to the doctor's office for evaluation to help detect sporadic heart rhythm disorders.

A test performed while the patient is connected to an ECG and blood pressure monitor and strapped to a table that tilts the patient from a lying to standing position. This test is used to determine if the patient is prone to sudden drops in blood pressure or slow pulse rates with position changes related to abnormal cardiac reflex responses.

A non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart and vessels to evaluate the heart's chambers and valves. We offer state-of-the-art equipment, protocols and newer techniques with ultrasound, including 3D images, to help detect abnormalities. Echocardiogram screenings for student athletes and genetic heart disease are also available.

A test in which a small transducer ultrasound probe (similar to an endoscope) is passed down the esophagus and placed directly behind the heart to obtain superior quality images of the heart structures. This test is routinely performed during cardiac surgeries for close monitoring and to confirm accuracy of the surgical procedure.

Cardiac stress tests are used to assess the response of the heart under increased demand. They may be done through exercise or chemically if the patient is unable to exercise. In an exercise test, the patient walks on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bike to monitor heart rate, blood pressure, symptoms and electrical activity (ECG). A chemical stress test is done with a medicine that either raises the heart rate or redistributes blood supply to create a stress response in the heart muscle. This test may be conducted in conjunction with an ultrasound (ECHO) or nuclear tracer imaging to improve detection of strain or altered heart function or blood supply due to clogged blood vessels in the heart.

A stress test may be used to detect coronary artery disease or to determine safe levels of exercise following a heart attack, stent placement or heart surgery. Special protocols and expertise are also available for advanced forms of stress testing, such as cardiopulmonary monitoring, hemodynamic and ultrasound monitoring for special forms of cardiac diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, for various valve diseases and with lower extremity vascular blood flow studies.

Small amounts of safe nuclear tracer agents are used with Emission Tomography (SPECT and MUGA) imaging to study blood supply and the heart function, including assessing the extent of living muscle tissue following a heart attack. This test is often done in conjunction with cardiac stress testing.

Multi-detector, low-radiation CT scan imaging of the heart and blood vessels is performed routinely. Heart and lung CT screening is part of this service. To obtain scans, we use high-quality CT angiography images of the coronary arteries, pulmonary veins, aorta and other blood vessels in the body with patient-centered protocols and advanced post-processing techniques are utilized to obtain theses scans.

Vascular ultrasound and CT imaging techniques are used to study blood vessels in the body (outside of the heart) prone to blockages and cholesterol build-up. This also includes studies of the venous system of the body and disorders associated with it. Skilled technicians and physicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and protocols to obtain test results. A vascular screening test called Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) can detect peripheral arterial disease (PAD). To schedule an ABI screening, call 800-777-7775 or learn more.

With one of the few 3T MRI scanners in Indiana, we offer cutting-edge technology for cardiac MRI imaging. MRI imaging is used to obtain high-quality diagnostic images of the heart and the blood vessels. A dedicated team of physicians and technologists specialize in cardiac MRI services. These include stress MRI perfusion imaging, assessment of complex cardiovascular diseases, and MR angiography of the thoracic vessels. An increasing number of patients with previously undetected or unresolved cardiovascular diseases are being appropriately diagnosed and treated with MRI technology.

Contact us

To schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, please call 317-621-8565.